I've never seen a thread specifically about this, so thought I'd ask.

While I've had some close calls with crazy drivers, so far I haven't had an accident with one. OTOH, I had had solo accidents where I have been really fortunate to be going darn slow. Went over the handlebars once when a grate grabbed my wheel just yards after I was stopped. On a couple occasions I've fallen over while getting use to clipless pedals. Probably worse one was when my wheel went right out from under me when I hit mud where the side of the road was slanted, but even that one just skinned up my ankle a good bit and it still bothers me some if something rubs it - doesn't affect riding.

I have learned from these accidents that falling over isn't that big a deal as long as you are just hitting your side or shoulder (I know, hit wrong and you could damage something no matter what) and yes, I wear a helmet.

But I'm wondering about the effect of crashing at considerable speed. Typically my fast speeds on flats won't be more than 20-21. My speeds going down most good hills will run 30-35. The fastest I have ever gone is 42.6, when a car forced me off the road onto rough, hard ground (clumpy grass). I fully expected to crash as soon as I went off, but somehow I didn't.

So, I've been lucky, but curious. Surely some people here have fallen at fast speeds onto the road or into the dirt and grass along the side, so, what was the result? I'm assuming at the time you are bouncing around, there is a certain numbness from shock, but once stopped, you might be in really bad shape.